Helston was brought to a standstill as sailors and airman from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose paraded through the ancient Cornish town.

The annual Freedom of Helston parade brought children and adults out to line the ceremonial route, as well as friends and families of the naval personnel.

The Culdrose Sailors were exercising their right to parade through the Borough of Helston with 'swords drawn, bayonets fixed, bands playing and colours flying,' granted in 1958.

Leading this years parade was 771 Naval Air Squadron who had recently celebrated their 76th anniversary, ahead of HMS Seahawk’s Volunteer Band and a ceremonial guard of honour of personnel from across the West Cornwall Base.

The air squadron are the Royal Navy’s only search and rescue helicopter squadron, flying their distinctive grey and red Sea Kings 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on search and rescue duties for the western approaches, across the Cornish peninsula, Isles of Scilly and the Atlantic/Channel out to a distance of 200 nautical miles.

This year will see the final days of the venerable Sea King and in December this year 771 NAS hands over its search and rescue commitment on December 31 to a civilian contractor.

One of the busiest and most highly decorated helicopter squadrons in the UK, they are called out an average 250 times per year. Individual awards and honours have included four George Medals, three Air Force Crosses, eight Queen’s Gallantry Medals and 15 Queen’s Commendations for Bravery.

The parade had earlier been inspected by the Mayor of Helston, Councillor Michael Thomas, accompanied by Lieutenant Commander Philip Beacham, parade commander and Captain Adrian Orchard OBE, commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose.

The mayor said: “RNAS Culdrose has been an established feature of our town for over 50 years; Mayors have stood here and thanked you for your commitment and service and today I have the honour and privilege to be the 19th town mayor to thank you. Links between Helston and Culdrose make us strong and we are proud our town has on its door step such an esteemed and prestigious Naval Air Station.”